Chapter 124: A Brief Interlude (A Certain Maritime Nation 4)
Did they truly possess information about the Port Town of Terek, and by extension, the Redstone (Tone-Mag)?
This uncertainty weighed heavily on the minds of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Navy of the Kingdom of Repuitari.
“Perhaps we should introduce our steam engine and gauge their reactions?” one suggested.
“However, the steam engine is classified as our nation’s most vital secret. It would be acceptable to disclose it to nations with which we have established diplomatic relations, but revealing it to those with whom we are still negotiating is out of the question…”
“Even so, we cannot initiate discussions without presenting something tangible. We cannot afford to be taken lightly.”
They undoubtedly maintained diplomatic relations with the Forest Country (Lebresta). Whether this was through land or sea routes remained unclear, but logically, it would likely be the latter.
If it were by land, they would have to traverse the vast desert to the north or continue through the wilderness via the Port Town of Terek. Furthermore, land routes would naturally take much longer, making it impractical to transport delicate items like baked goods, even if tea leaves could still be managed.
By sea, however, they could utilize the so-called refrigerated rooms for long-term storage. This raised the possibility that they were unaware of the existence of the Port Town of Terek. If they had not docked there, it was plausible that they were uninformed about Redstone.
“But, tea leaves from Lebresta and baked goods… Wasn’t there a certain trading company that was the royal purveyor?” another pondered.
“…”
Moreover, the situation was further complicated by the trade goods they had presented.
Currently, only one trading company was engaged in commerce with Lebresta. This was due to the Afrasia United Kingdom being rendered off-limits because of civil war, which had cut off access to the supply bases at the Port Town of Terek and other ports.
Yet, in the past, they had monopolized the trade routes with Lebresta. If a mysterious fleet were to seize that from them, it would undoubtedly cause unrest.
Thus, predicting their next moves became increasingly difficult.
Moreover, there was a plan for a fleet deployment to the Port Town of Terek. They would be stripped of their ladder and their trade routes.
“We may have no choice but to offer some form of assurance,” one concluded.
“How troublesome…”
While there was the option to remove certain trade items, it had been a long time since trade with Lebresta had ceased, and if they could obtain those goods again, they wanted to handle them as much as possible. The high-quality tea leaves from Lebresta were incredibly valuable as tributes to the royal family.
“However, if we grant them exclusive sales rights, they will undoubtedly exploit it even further.”
“Until now, the operating costs of the trading ships had served as a pretext.”
It all depended on negotiations with the Paraiso, but it should be cheaper than using the ships of the Kingdom of Repuitari. Otherwise, the goods from Paraiso would not sell. Discussions regarding such standard clauses had already begun, and the value they had proposed seemed reasonable.
“It is indeed strange that we must consider domestic circumstances,” one remarked.
“There’s no helping it. The Senate is one thing, but the incompetence of the related domestic departments is also quite severe. If we do not take action, our nation will face dire consequences.”
They had discreetly inquired about the handling capacity of the Paraiso, and it turned out they could provide a merchant vessel larger than the flagship Panas. The Panas measured approximately 100 feet in length, while the new battleships of the Kingdom of Repuitari had only just surpassed 70 feet. It seemed they were operating vessels far larger than that.
“They are friendly. They are negotiating with us in an exceptionally gentle manner, despite our clear inferiority in civilization…”
“From the outside, particularly from the Senate, it likely does not appear that way.”
“They will try to place the blame on us in the Navy.”
“And then, their lackeys will be inserted as negotiating officials.”
“…Our beautiful capital may very well sink into a sea of flames.”
“It may be wise to demonstrate the threat of the Paraiso directly…”
Thus, a request for live-fire exercises was made to the Paraiso.
◇◇◇◇
The first shot. The shell fired by the third ship of the Hedgehog-class flew at three times the speed they had anticipated, striking the base of the rear mast of the target vessel, a clipper, and shattering it. The shell continued through, creating a massive water column far out at sea.
According to the Paraiso, it was an armor-piercing shell, not a warhead utilizing explosive magic, but rather a solid metal projectile.
“…That was not mere luck, was it?” one mused.
“Indeed. Following that, they executed three consecutive shots, hitting the remaining three masts directly. The accuracy was 100%. I witnessed it with my own eyes, yet I still cannot believe it…”
They had struck their intended targets without conducting any observation fire.
And they had accomplished this with the ship’s main cannon.
The Paraiso appeared to be developed based on mechanical technology, but perhaps they were also employing some form of magical technology.
There exists a magic known as One Shot. It is a spell favored by the Forest Country (Lebresta), and it is said that the ultimate goal for their archers is to master it.
The effect is simple: it guarantees that an arrow will hit the target that is within sight. If the shells were an application of this magic, it would certainly be more reassuring.
“Next, they attacked a small floating target prepared by the Paraiso using a weapon known as Close Defense. It is likely a large machine gun-like weapon. The specifics are unclear, but it seems capable of firing dozens of shells per minute. The moment the target was obliterated, a massive column of water erupted around it.”
They possessed effective means of attack not only against large warships but also against fast, small vessels. Moreover, even the main cannon exhibited remarkable rapid-fire capabilities. There were two cannons mounted at the front and one at the rear, with a total of eight ships in existence.
“Do you believe we stand a chance against them with our current forces?” one asked.
“Frankly speaking, it seems impossible. We would likely be annihilated within an hour.”
Major Pariard Aminas of the Navy’s Technology Bureau succinctly replied.
“Such a cowardly statement, if not made here, would warrant immediate execution, Major. However, if you, of all people, say so, then it must be true…”
“Yes. Regrettably so. …And then, the coordinated firing demonstration by the three Hedgehog-class ships. A continuous barrage from nine main cannons. They achieved simultaneous hits on multiple maritime targets towed by another Hedgehog-class vessel. The shells used were explosive warheads. To be honest, my legs trembled.”
“So they do possess explosive warheads as well…”
Hoping to find at least one advantageous point against the Paraiso, they were met with disappointment.
“Finally, a direct attack on the clipper using the main cannon of the flagship Panas. The warhead used was an armor-piercing shell, but according to the Paraiso’s explanation, its velocity is approximately ten times that of our shells. It struck immediately after firing, cleaving the clipper in two from the center. The shell penetrated and landed far behind. Our battleships would undoubtedly be pierced through.”
Even just hearing the report was enough to make one want to throw everything away due to the sheer absurdity of it all.
And now, such a formidable opponent was docked at the capital’s port, glaring down at them. Naturally, the royal palace, positioned above the port, was also within their range.
“I hope the esteemed guests we invited can accurately recognize the threat…”
The reason they had gone so far as to prepare a viewing ship for this live-fire exercise was to share the threat of the Paraiso beyond the Navy.
Recently, it seemed that information about their negotiations had leaked out. Thus, they wanted to set a firm precedent before any unwarranted interference could occur.
The irony that it was the Navy itself that was most devastated by the outcome was almost laughable.
In any case, they needed to maintain a friendly relationship with the Paraiso moving forward. They did not want any unnecessary interference from foolish factions within their own nation.
“We may need to form a team to keep the domestic situation in check. We must not show any signs of hostility toward the Paraiso. The moment someone goes rogue, we could find ourselves under a rain of cannon fire at the royal palace.”
The Navy, having once experienced such a situation, was proceeding with caution. However, it was also true that there were those who failed to understand this and continued to cling to past glories.
“Next, we will invite them to our port. I hope we can have a calm discussion…”